Winner of the Biotech Stars Awards

The Finnish Bioindustries Biotech Stars Awards were presented at the Made by Cells Biotech Forum on 29 April 2026 at Hanaholmen, Espoo, as part of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Finnish Bioindustries. The awards recognized outstanding achievement in four categories: Life Science Founder/CEO, Life Science Researcher, Industrial Biotechnology or Food Founder/CEO, and Industrial Biotechnology or Food Researcher. The winners were selected by a distinguished jury on the basis of nominations collected through an open online process.

Jury Report – Biotech Stars Awards Motivations

Life Science Founder / CEO Award – Heidi Haikala

The jury awards the Life Science Founder/CEO Award to Heidi Haikala in recognition of her exceptional commitment to building impactful life science company Solid IO out of her own research and novel ideas in a very competed research area. She is a true rising star and has demonstrated a rare combination of strong scientific understanding, entrepreneurial vision, and the ability to translate research excellence into business.

Life Science Researcher Award – Seppo Ylä-Herttuala

The Life Science Researcher Award is granted to Seppo Ylä-Herttuala for his outstanding and internationally recognized contributions to biomedical research. His pioneering work, particularly in gene therapy and cardiovascular research, has fundamentally advanced the field and positioned Finland among the leading countries in life science research.

Beyond scientific excellence, Professor Ylä-Herttuala has played a crucial role in translating research into clinical applications, thereby creating direct societal impact. Ylä-Herttuala established one of the world's first gene therapy companies, which has since expanded into a facility employing hundreds of individuals in the Kuopio region. The company's application for gene therapy drug received FDA approval and is now providing treatment for cancer patients.

Industrial Biotechnology or Food Founder / CEO Award – Chris Landowski

The jury awards the Industrial Biotechnology or Food Founder/CEO Award to Chris Landowski for his visionary leadership and ability to build commercially successful solutions based on industrial biotechnology. His work exemplifies how scientific innovation can be scaled into industrial applications that address global challenges.

Chris Landowski has effectively translated his research-driven idea into a commercial venture. As a founder of Onego Bio, which is already constructing a factory, he has succeeded in securing funding and successfully collaborated internationally.

Industrial Biotechnology or Food Researcher Award – Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne

The Industrial Biotechnology or Food Researcher Award is given to Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne for her groundbreaking research that bridges fundamental science and industrial applicability. Her work has significantly advanced the understanding of photosynthesis and biological energy conversion, with clear relevance for sustainable food systems and bio-based production.

Allahverdiyeva-Rinne’s research excellence is characterized by scientific depth, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong orientation toward practical impact. She has actively contributed to positioning Finnish research at the forefront of industrial biotechnology and has played an important role in training and inspiring the next generation of researchers in the field.